Cross Border Agricultural Finance for a Fresh Start on a Scottish Farm

Starting over is never easy—especially when it involves relocating your family, buying a new farm, and juggling financial complexity along the way. For one farming couple, a move from the South East of England to Scotland offered the opportunity of a new beginning. But bridging the gap between ambition and affordability required flexible, practical support. UK Agricultural Finance was proud to provide the funding that made their transition smoother—and their future more secure.

A Family’s Move North, and a New Chapter Begins

After years of farming in the South East, a husband and wife team made the bold decision to relocate their family to rural Scotland. With land prices and the cost of living proving increasingly prohibitive in the South, the move offered an opportunity to expand their farming operation and build something sustainable for the next generation.

The couple, who have four young children together as well as older children from previous relationships, bought a small farm, including a five-bedroom farmhouse, and a set of useful outbuildings. They also rent additional adjacent land and now run a calf-rearing business with a growing herd of 50 animals, alongside a small flock of ewes.

But behind the promise of a new start, there were some serious financial hurdles to overcome.

Sale Delays and Financial Pressures

When the couple sold their previous farm in the South, they ran into trouble. A failed sale followed by lengthy delays in securing a final buyer led to significant cashflow issues. While the new farm had been purchased, the funds tied up in the original property left them exposed—just as they needed capital to get the new enterprise off the ground.

As a result, they accumulated debts across nine different creditors, totalling around £70,000. In parallel, there was an urgent need to invest in livestock, feed, and machinery to increase productivity and profitability. The traditional banking route proved inflexible—especially with assets located in both Scotland and England—and they needed a lender who could take a holistic view of their situation.

Our Solution: A Tailored High-Quality Bridging Loan

UK Agricultural Finance stepped in with a practical and creative funding solution: a £200,000 High-Quality Bridging Loan, structured over 36 months. The loan was designed to be drawn in two tranches, tailored to the couple’s specific needs and timing.

Tranche 1: £170,000

• £70,000 used to consolidate existing debts across nine creditors, reducing monthly financial pressure and simplifying their financial landscape.

• £100,000 reinvested directly into the business for essential improvements, including:
  • Purchasing livestock

  • Buying feed

  • Acquiring farm equipment

This allowed the couple to stabilise their operation, focus on growing their herd, and increase income potential from the core farm business.

Tranche 2: £30,000 (Conditional)

The second tranche is earmarked to fund the conversion of an existing two-storey annex—previously used by the former owner as an office—into a high-quality holiday let.

• The loan agreement includes a conditional drawdown, requiring the borrower to provide confirmation of planning and change-of-use approval before funds are released.

• This approach offers flexibility while protecting the borrower and lender through responsible staging of investment.

Once complete, the holiday let is projected to generate an estimated £28,000 in annual income, supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the holding.

Supporting a Diversified and Forward-Looking Farm Business

The wife, who leads the day-to-day running of the business, brings considerable entrepreneurial experience from previous ventures involving shepherd huts and hospitality. Building on this, she has recently completed certified training to launch a Home Reared Beef and Lamb Box Scheme, delivering fresh, chilled meat to customers across the UK.

By investing in both the farming and diversification aspects of the business, the couple is creating multiple income streams:

• Livestock sales (calves and lambs)

• Holiday accommodation

• Direct-to-consumer meat boxes

This model reflects a growing trend in UK agriculture—where adaptability and diversification are key to resilience.

Cross-Border Security: Where Other Lenders Say “No”, We Find a Way

One of the most unique elements of this case is the nature of the security. The loan is secured against:

• The 5-bedroom farmhouse and surrounding farmland in Scotland

• Five outbuildings on-site

• A development plot retained from their previous farm in England

Many lenders are unable to process loans where the security spans different legal jurisdictions. The differences in land law between England and Scotland make this a challenge from both a legal and operational perspective.

However, at UK Agricultural Finance, we are comfortable working with multi-jurisdictional security. Our legal partners and underwriters are well-versed in structuring deals like this, ensuring that the complexities are managed without compromising on service or speed.

This flexibility proved vital in helping the borrowers access the capital they needed, when they needed it most.

Looking Ahead: Repayment and Long-Term Plans

The borrowers plan to refinance the loan at the end of the 36-month term, once the farm’s trading history has strengthened and the limited company is more established. The projected profitability of the livestock enterprise, combined with income from the holiday let and meat box sales, supports this plan.

Additionally, they expect to sell the development plot in England, which will help reduce the outstanding balance or support refinancing options.

With a viable exit route, strong assets, and a clear commercial strategy, this is a deal that demonstrates how creative, relationship-led finance can make a real difference in agriculture.

Final Thoughts: Backing Ambition with Action

This case is a clear example of how rural lending isn’t just about balance sheets—it’s about backing people with vision and resilience. The borrowers were hardworking, experienced, and committed to building a sustainable future for their family.

They didn’t fit the mould of a “standard” client. But with the right lender, a clear business case, and a bit of creativity, they were able to get the support they needed.

At UK Agricultural Finance, we’re proud to offer funding solutions that meet farmers where they are—whether that’s in the North of Scotland, the South of England, or somewhere in between.

Are you navigating the complexities of buying a new farm, relocating your family, or growing your agricultural business? Do you need finance that understands both the risks and the opportunities?

Speak to our team today to find out how we can support your next move.